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More needs to be done to stop illegal off-road bikers “putting a blot on our landscape”, frustrated councillors in Fochriw have said.

It comes after several off-road vehicles allegedly ripped up a patch of grass next to Fochriw Community Centre on Friday February 9.

Labour councillor Robert Chapman, who represents the Darran Valley ward on Caerphilly County Borough Council, has previously described his ward as a rural area, and said it faces unique problems as a result – with off-roading a big issue. 

Speaking about the latest incident, Cllr Chapman told Caerphilly Observer: “Three quad bikes came into the village and went onto the green for approximately three minutes and drove back up through the village onto the mountain.”

He continued: “We just had it all cleaned up. It was looking really lovely…It’s putting a blot on our landscape.”

Cllr Chapman said he has reported it to Caerphilly County Borough Council , which will need to clean up the site. 

Cllr Chapman has also contacted a housing officer to see if high fencing can be placed around the area. 

“I don’t know what the solution is”

Independent councillor Eddy Blanche also expressed his disappointment at the damage and said: “It’s such a shame.

“There’s a lot of time and effort put in by various people to keep the village clean and tidy for everybody and mindless idiots have to come along and just destroy it all in minutes.” 

He continued: “I don’t know what the solution is, unfortunately. It’s frustrating. 

“I’m not going to blame the police. One, they can’t be everywhere and two, how do you catch them? They’re on quad bikes – so they’ll be gone.” 

A Gwent Police spokesperson said: “We were called regarding a report of criminal damage in Pontlottyn Road, Fochriw, after a vehicle was reportedly driven on a section of grass near the community centre on Friday February 9 at around 8pm.

“If you have any information, call 101 or send us a direct message on social media quoting 2400047528.”

“Major problems”

This comes after a new initiative was set up in November to tackle illegal off-roading.

The project funds two police officers, a Land Rover, a quad bike, and a drone to help catch those who ride scramblers, quad bikes, and motorbikes illegally on the mountainsides. 

The project operates across the three local authorities, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, and Caerphilly, which funded the project with a combined total of £122,220 from UK Shared Prosperity Funding.

Cllr Chapman previously told Caerphilly Observer he supported the initiative and said: “I agree with any initiative if it helps to stop it.

“We have got major problems up here.”

The initiative is set to run until March 2025 and will complement Gwent Police’s Operation Harley, which also aims to combat illegal off-roading.